The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-08-17
GIVING AND TAKING A LIGHT.
The Manner of Spanish, German. English,
aud American Smokers

The Manner of Spanish, German. English,
and American Smokers
There is a certa n variety in the man
ner of giving and taking light for a
cigar that Is interesting to all smokers.
The Italians and French, says the New
York Sun, successfully copy the Span
ish style, VIII ch is the most graceful
and elegant of all, the only possible
objection to it being that it may some
times carry politeness beyond reason
able range. But, after all, it is simp Q
and friendly enough. The spaniard
bows and asks his neighbor for light.
The latter, returning the bow, ins-
mediately presents him with his cigar,
holding out the lighted end at slight
angle between the thumb and second
finger. The other takes the cigar, and
after procuring the needed fire from it
reverses it skillfully and returns it, the
entire operation being accompanied by
another graceful bow, and each raises
his hat as he turns to 60 away. The
Spaniard always smokes through his
nose. He considers it extravagant to
waste any good smoke through his
mouth, and inveterate smokers in all
The German is more polite in asking
for light than he is in giving it. Even
with the best intentions, in the latter
case his efforts have all the appearance
of reluctance. Sometimes, when his
cigar is smoked down nearly far
enough, he will throw it away i'm
mediately after granting a request for
fire. This among the Latins is con-
sidered rude and boorish in the ex-
treme, and is sometimes regarded as
positively insulting.
The average Englishman hesitates
before he gives light. and finally acts
as if he had achieved mighty feat in
condescension. Instead of lifting his
hat, his hand is more likely to go into
his pocket, and he is apt to give part
ing puff with an air of indignation as
he stalks away. Possibly this comes
from the fact that he never asks for a
light himself and is always we'll armed
with matches.
The American, of late, seems to be
somewhat averse to letting any one
take light from his cigar. He takes
it for granted that it must be much
better than his neighbours, and, not
wishing to contaminate it, he answers
an appeal for fire with q match. Some
times he politely lights the match, and
in such cases he presents it with an air
good enough for any Spaniard. But
this somewhat new custom may be of
Irish parentage. The Irish peasant al
ways strikes match for his fireless
friend or fellow-traveler, and even in a
gale IF wind he will hold lighted
match in the hollow of his hands and
humorously issue orders for the cap
ture OF the precious flame
The giving or taking of light for n
cigar is small affair, but little things
often reveal great deal of the char
acter, disposition, and breeding Of
men. 1t should always be offered
cheerfully and taken politely. In this
country it need not be done with that
extreme politeness and elegance which
may be said to be the exclusive prop
erty of the Latins, and which is proba-
bly, beyond the reach of cider and
more sober races; but it should be ac-
companied by that ood-fellowship
which is governed by ommon sense,
the foundation of all politeness.